Non-invasive biofeedback system

ABSTRACT

A method, system, and computer program for non-invasively monitoring a physiological parameter and providing biofeedback. The method, system, and computer program provide for the non-invasive detection of a physiological parameter by detecting changes in color channel values of a user in a live video feed and presenting biofeedback to the user indicating the relative position of the physiological parameter to an optimal range.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is the National Stage of International PatentApplication No. PCT/US2014/011880, filed Jan. 16, 2014, entitledNON-INVASIVE BIOFEEDBACK SYSTEM, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety, and which claims the priority benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/813,500, filed Apr. 18, 2013,entitled “MOBILE BIOFEEDBACK SYSTEM,” incorporated by reference in itsentirety herein.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a non-invasive biofeedbacksystem. More particularly, embodiments of the invention are directed toproviding a new system, method, and computer program for using acomputing device with an optical input device, such as a webcam ormobile phone camera, for non-invasively monitoring a physiologicalparameter of a user and providing biofeedback to the user based onphysiological responses to physical activity.

Description of Related Art

Cardiotocography, the measurement of heart rate, is a critical indicatorof physiological health and has wide reaching applications in themedical field. A human's heart rate alone is the independent riskpredictor of cardiovascular disease and is also one of the mostfrequently used measurements to monitor operator workload and fatigue.

Traditionally, electrocardiographs (ECG) or pulse rates have been usedto measure a heart rate. Heart rates are most accurately measured withan electrocardiograph, which records the electrical activity of theheart over a period of time. Commercial heart-rate monitoring devicesoften include a chest strap with heart-rate monitoring electrodes and adisplay (or a receiver such as a watch) for displaying the gathereddata. In the alternative, one can measure heart rate by taking the pulserate, by palpating an artery and counting pulse over a given period oftime (beats/minute). Traditional measurements of heart rate oftenrequire the physically invasive attachment of disposable electrodes onthe skin. Traditional devices are not only inconvenient, but also havethe potential of spreading disease.

Considering the constant increases of medical costs in developedcountries and the lack of trained healthcare personnel in less-developedcountries, a need is presented for a more convenient and affordablesolution to measure heart rate. One of these needs may be solved by theimplementation of cardiotocographical functionality on a generalcomputing platform, such as a personal computing device. It is known inthe relevant art that light reflections off a human face changes asblood palpitates throughout the face, thereby causing rhythmic changesin the color space (e.g., “RGB” (red, green, and blue) pixel values, HSV(Hue, Saturation and Value) pixel values) detected by a camera. With theright software, a computer and a camera in communication with thecomputer are capable of detecting these changes in the color space forstationary subjects. However, accuracy and functionality have beenlimited by current developments.

Computers are generally available in the majority of households and/ormedical facilities. The implementation of cardiotocographicalfunctionality on a general computing platform can provide great benefitsto a wide array of health-related applications. Further, mobileplatforms such as cell phones, now have comparable processing power todesktop computers and can make for very portable solutions.

Compared to the traditional approach, mobile cardiotocography has theadvantage of ubiquitous and easy data logging, along with portability.Users with smartphones often carry their phones around for most of theirdaily activities—this provides for the potential of assessing a user'sheart rate at any given moment. For example, large populations of userscarry their cellphones while exercising to stay connected and to listento music. While modern exercise machines have made attempts at measuringa user's heart rate using electrodes built into machine handles orutilizing wearable monitors like chest straps or finger probes, suchmonitors are unpopular due to their invasive nature, the constantinterruptions required for measurement during an exercise regimen, andthe likelihood of spreading unwanted germs. Nevertheless, there aregreat benefits of heart rate monitors being used with exercise machines.For example, biofeedback provided to a user undergoing an exerciseroutine can provide the user with signals as to their ideal range ofheart rate and the optimal intensity for maximizing results of anexercise regimen. Biofeedback, however, is most beneficial when aconstant measurement is tracked and used for adjusting intensity asneeded in real-time.

Modern technology, specifically mobile devices, has revolutionized theway users keep track of their personal data and share such data to theworld. Fitness routines and results, for example, are one of the manydata points users like to keep personal records for and share to theirsocial media audience. A commonly perceived downside of modern exercisemachines is the lack of personalized record keeping. Generally, if afirst user utilizes machine-incorporated biofeedback technology, theirexercise regimen and biofeedback records remain on the machine andrecords are ultimately deleted upon the commencement of a second user'sexercise routine. Computing devices, on the other hand, have theconvenience of data storage in either the device memory or on a remoteserver.

Accordingly, there is a need for a non-invasive and portable approach tocardiotocography that provides a user the convenience and accuracy ofreal-time biofeedback, the ability to optimize exercise regimens basedon calculated factors incorporating the real-time biofeedback data, andthe ability to keep a personal and/or mobile record of the data over aperiod of time for the calculation of a collective, long-termbiofeedback.

SUMMARY

The invention provides for a method, system, and computer program fornon-invasively measuring a non-stationary user's heart rate andproviding biofeedback. More particularly, the invention provides for amethod, system, and computer program for using a computing device withan optical camera for non-invasively measuring physiological parametersof a user during exercise and providing biofeedback to the user based onsuch measurements. In another embodiment, the invention is operable tonon-invasively determine the user's heart rate, process the associateddata with user-specific factors, and send data to a user's exercisemachine operable to modify the intensity in real-time for achievingoptimization of the user's exercise regimen. Even further embodiments ofthe invention are operable to collect records of the data over a periodof time to calculate a collective, long-term biofeedback.

When determining a user's heart rate, embodiments of the inventionutilize a computing device and a camera operably in communication withthe computing device. The invention utilizes a computing device and acamera operably in communication with the computing device for opticallyobserving a user, detecting changes in color channel values of theuser's facial pixels, running signal processing algorithms on the livedata feed, and producing an accurate measurement of heart rate.

Embodiments may further determine, based on a user's heart rate at aparticular moment in time, a biofeedback for display to the user. Thebiofeedback may be operable to inform the user if they are below orabove their anaerobic threshold, typically determined by analyzing theuser's current heart rate and comparing said current heart rate to theuser's heart rate training zone. Heart rate training zones are generallyknown in the art to be calculated with a user's maximum heart rate,resting heart rate, and age, or more accurately by performing cardioassessments for determination thereof. The invention may involve acomputer program for receiving and storing the user's training zonedata, or receiving and storing data associated to the detectedphysiological parameter, and utilizing such data to perform cardioassessments determining the user's training zones. The invention mayfurther provide the user with biofeedback during exercise, and providereal-time instructions to the user or exercise machine for enabling theuser's optimal aerobic intensity. Finally, the invention may provide theuser with biofeedback in a post-workout, non-monitoring state, such thata biofeedback is calculated based on a collective record of data over aperiod of time for the purpose of advising the user on how to furtheroptimize their exercise routine.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the detaileddescription. This summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other aspectsand advantages of the invention will be apparent from the followingdetailed description of the embodiments and the accompanying drawingfigures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are described in detail below withreference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a method of non-invasively detecting aphysiological parameter and using said parameter for providingbiofeedback;

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary operatingenvironment in which an embodiment of the invention can be implemented;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an exemplary process flow of embodiments ofthe invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a user utilizing an embodiment of theinvention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a user utilizing another embodiment ofthe invention.

The drawing figures do not limit the invention to the specificembodiments disclosed and described herein. The drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearlyillustrating the principles of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description of the invention references theaccompanying drawings that illustrate specific embodiments in which theinvention can be practiced. The embodiments are intended to describeaspects of the invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled inthe art to practice the invention. Other embodiments can be utilized andchanges can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in alimiting sense. The scope of the invention is defined only by theappended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which suchclaims are entitled.

In this description, references to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or“embodiments” mean that the feature or features being referred to areincluded in at least one embodiment of the technology. Separatereferences to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “embodiments” inthis description do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment and arealso not mutually exclusive unless so stated and/or except as will bereadily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description. Forexample, a feature, structure, act, etc. described in one embodiment mayalso be included in other embodiments, but is not necessarily included.Thus, the technology can include a variety of combinations and/orintegrations of the embodiments described herein.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a computer program, method,and system for the non-invasive detection of physiological parameters ofa user performing a physical activity, displaying the physiologicalparameters to the user, and further providing biofeedback for alteringexercise intensity to meet optimal aerobic intensities specific to theuser's aerobic training zones. The term “biofeedback” refers to theprovision of a user's physiological parameters (e.g., heart rate,respiration rate, etc.) to the user for facilitating the training andcontrol of the physiological parameter. The term “optimal” or “optimalrange,” as used herein refers to the preferred range of a user'sphysiological parameters (e.g., heart rate), such that the preferredrange is equivalent to an aerobic training zone best suited forachieving the user's desired fitness goals. For example, fitness goalssuch as weight loss, physical therapy, long distance cardiovascularfitness, sprint training, aerobic/anaerobic fitness, etc., are allnon-limiting examples of a user's desired fitness goals and may requiretraining within a variety of different aerobic training zones over avarying duration of time. The term “training zones” as used hereindescribes a minimum and maximum value of a physiological parameter,wherein the minimum and maximum value set a recommended range for aparticular user. Details for determining a user's training zones aredescribed further herein. It is within the scope of this invention thata user may have a plurality of different optimal ranges for achieving aplurality of different fitness goals. A user may utilize embodiments ofthe invention for “optimizing” their exercise regimen, such that thebiofeedback features facilitate the user's current exercise to reachthose goals more efficiently or effectively. The optimal or optimizedrange that is preferred may be set by the user himself, or may be setaccording to an objectively-designated range according to known trainingzone ranges for a desired fitness goal. In either case, this optimalrange can be used to “optimize” the user's exercise routine.

The computer program of embodiments of the invention comprises aplurality of code segments executable by a computing device forperforming the steps of the method of the invention. The steps of themethod may be performed in the order shown in FIG. 1, or they may beperformed in a different order, unless otherwise expressly stated.Furthermore, some steps may be performed concurrently as opposed tosequentially. Also, some steps may be optional or substituted.

The user of the invention may selectively activate a program mode fordesired operational features. The invention includes at least twoprogram modes, namely a monitoring mode and a biofeedback mode. Infurther embodiments of the invention, a third program mode, referred toas an exercise machine control mode, may also be activated by the user.In all modes, with the exception of an off mode, the functions of amonitoring mode are necessarily activated.

The computer program and method of embodiments of the invention comprisethe steps 100 of detecting a physiological parameter of a user by (1)collecting user information 102; (2) tracking a facial area of a subjectin a live video feed 104; (3) detecting a first set of at least twochannel values from the facial area of the subject in each frame of thelive video feed 106; (4) performing a function to make correctiveadjustments for subject motion and changes in lighting conditions on thefirst set of the at least two channel values, wherein the results of thefunction produce a second set of at least two channel valuescorresponding to the first set of at least two channel values, such thata total of at least four channel values are associated to each frame ofthe live video feed 108; (5) transforming the channel values into afrequency wave pattern 110; (6) selecting a single channel amongst theat least four channel values, wherein said single channel provides thestrongest indicia for physiological parameter detection 112; (7)presenting a biofeedback to the user on a display 114. As used herein,the phrase “channel values” refers to the reference values used fordescribing color. Color reference values are generally comprised of anarray of values used to describe a specific color in a well-known colorspace (e.g., RGB, HSV, or HSL) as further described herein.

The system of embodiments of the invention may comprise computingdevices, servers, and communications networks to facilitate thefunctions and features described herein. The computing devices andservers may comprise any number and combination of processors,controllers, integrated circuits, programmable logic devices, or otherdata and signal processing devices for carrying out the functionsdescribed herein, and may additionally comprise one or more memorystorage devices, transmitters, receivers, and/or communication bussesfor communicating with the various devices of the system. In variousembodiments of the invention, the computing devices may comprise amemory element, a communication component, a display, and/or a userinterface.

The computer program, system, and method of embodiments of the inventionmay be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or combinationsthereof using system 200, shown in FIG. 2, which broadly comprisesserver devices 202, computing devices 204, and a communications network206. The server devices 202 may include computing devices that provideaccess to one or more general computing resources, such as Internetservices, electronic mail services, and data transfer services, and thelike.

The server devices 202 and computing devices 204 may include any device,component, or equipment with a processing element and associated memoryelements. The processing element may implement operating systems, andmay be capable of executing the computer program, which is alsogenerally known as instructions, commands, software code, executables,applications, apps, and the like. The processing element may includeprocessors, microprocessors, microcontrollers, field programmable gatearrays, and the like, or combinations thereof. The memory elements maybe capable of storing or retaining the computer program and may alsostore data, typically binary data, including text, databases, graphics,audio, video, combinations thereof, and the like. The memory elementsmay also be known as a “computer-readable storage medium” and mayinclude random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), flash drivememory, floppy disks, hard disk drives, optical storage media such ascompact discs (CDs or CDROMs), digital video disc (DVD), Blu-Ray™, andthe like, or combinations thereof. In addition to these memory elements,the server devices 202 may further include file stores comprising aplurality of hard disk drives, network attached storage, or a separatestorage network.

The computing devices 204 may specifically include mobile communicationdevices (including wireless devices), work stations, desktop computers204, laptop computers 204, palmtop computers, tablet computers 204,portable digital assistants (PDA), smart phones 204, scanners, exercisemachine computers 204, cash registers, cash drawers, printers, and thelike, or combinations thereof. Various embodiments of the computingdevice 204 may also include voice communication devices, such as cellphones 204 or landline phones. In preferred embodiments, the computingdevice 204 will have an electronic display, such as a cathode ray tube,liquid crystal display, plasma, or touch screen that is operable todisplay visual graphics, images, text, etc. In certain embodiments, thecomputer program of the invention facilitates interaction andcommunication through a graphical user interface (GUI) that is displayedvia the electronic display. The GUI enables users (e.g., the consumer,an athlete, an exercise enthusiast, or an administrator) to interactwith the electronic display by touching or pointing at display areas toprovide information to the user control interface. In additionalembodiments, the computing device 204 may include an optical device suchas a digital camera, video camera, webcam, infrared scanner, opticalscanner, or the like, such that the computing device can capture, store,and transmit digital images and/or videos. Any and all components may bedirectly in communication with a computing device, or wirelesslyconnected to a computing device through a communications network.

The computing devices 204 may include a user control interface thatenables one or more users to share information and commands with thecomputing devices or server devices 202. The user interface may compriseone or more functionable inputs such as buttons, keyboard, switches,scrolls wheels, voice recognition elements such as a microphone, andpointing devices such as mice, touchpads, tracking balls, and styluses.The user control interface may also include a speaker for providingaudible instructions and feedback. Further, the user control interfacemay comprise wired or wireless data transfer elements, such as acommunication component, removable memory, data transceivers, and/ortransmitters, to enable the user and/or other computing devices toremotely interface with the computing device 204.

The communications network 206 may be wired or wireless and may includeservers, routers, switches, wireless receivers and transmitters, and thelike, as well as electrically conductive cables or optical cables. Thecommunications network 206 may also include local, metro, or wide areanetworks, as well as the Internet, or other cloud networks. Furthermore,the communications network 206 may include cellular or mobile phonenetworks, as well as landline phone networks, public switched telephonenetworks, fiber optic networks, or the like. The network may be theInternet, an intranet, or a telecommunications network. The serverdevice may be any derivation of the computing device, operable to storeand host data. The server device is operable to accept data packets froma computing device via a communications network, such as the Internet, aWi-Fi link, Bluetooth, Near-Field Communications (“NFC”), aradio-frequency (“RF”) link, or directly via a manual connection, suchas a universal serial bus (“USB”), and Ethernet port.

Both the server devices 202 and the computing devices 204 may beconnected to the communications network 206. Server devices 202 may beable to communicate with other server devices 202 or computing devices204 through the communications network 206. Likewise, computing devices204 may be able to communicate with other computing devices 204 orserver devices 202 through the communications network 206. Theconnection to the communications network 206 may be wired or wireless.Thus, the server devices 202 and the computing devices 204 may includethe appropriate components to establish a wired or a wirelessconnection. In some embodiments, the server device and the computingdevice may be the same computing device, wherein the computing deviceservers all functions of the server device.

The computer program of the invention may run on computing devices 204or, alternatively, may run on one or more server devices 202. Thus, afirst portion of the program, code, or instructions may execute on afirst server device 202 or a first computing device 204, while a secondportion of the program, code, or instructions may execute on a secondserver device 202 or a second computing device 204. In some embodiments,other portions of the program, code, or instructions may execute onother server devices 202 as well. In additional embodiments of theinvention, a portion of the information to implement the invention maybe stored on the server device 202, while another portion may be storedon the one or more computing devices 204. The various processesdescribed herein as being performed by or using the computer program mayactually be performed by one or more computers, processors, or othercomputational devices, such as the computing devices 204 and/or serverdevices 202, independently or cooperatively executing portions of thecomputer program.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the computer program may beembodied in a stand-alone program downloaded on a user's computingdevice 204 or in a web-accessible program that is accessible by theuser's computing device 204 via the network 206. For the stand-aloneprogram, a downloadable version of the computer program may be stored,at least in part, on the server device 202. A user can download at leasta portion of the computer program onto the computing device 204 via thenetwork 206. In such embodiments of the invention, the computer programmay be an “application,” such as an “app” for a mobile device. After thecomputer program has been downloaded, the program can be installed onthe computing device 204 in an executable format. The executable form ofthe program permits the user to access embodiments of the invention viaan electronic resource, such as a mobile “app” or website. For theweb-accessible computer program, the user may simply access the computerprogram via the network 206 (e.g., the Internet) with the computingdevice 204.

The invention detects physiological parameters of a user stationary orin motion, as described in the steps of FIGS. 1 & 3. In a monitoringmode, the invention provides for the non-invasive detection of thephysical parameter utilizing a camera and an operably connectedcomputing device, specifically, the detection and calculation of auser's heart rate 300. Additional physiological parameters such asrespiration rate, blood concentration, heart rate variability, oxygensaturation, lactate levels, aerobic capacity, anaerobic capacity,posture, pallor, perspiration levels, and running speed, may be detectedand/or calculated using same or similar concepts or principles asdisclosed in the invention. It is within the scope of this inventionthat such other physiological parameters may be used in conjunction withthe detection of a user's heart rate to provide more accurate andin-depth biofeedback analysis to the user. Biofeedback analysiscorresponding to a user's heart rate requires at least the collection ofsome basic information about the user 302, as further described below inthe biofeedback description. The invention is concerned with detectingthe user's heart rate while the user is stationary or performing aphysical act (e.g., running on a treadmill). The system embodiment ofthe invention is comprised of a camera operably in communication with acomputing device 302, wherein the camera is operable to stream a livevideo feed to the computing device for processing 304. Speed of resultsis important in this invention, therefore embodiments may resize theresolution of the video frames to speed up processing. As the computingdevice receives the live video feed from the camera, the computerprogram and the method of embodiments of the invention utilize computervision algorithms for detecting facial areas 304. As used herein,“facial areas” refers to the forward-facing view of a user's face, suchthat at least the user's eyes, nose, and mouth are visible to thecamera. Facial area tracking utilizes known facial detection methodssuch as skin-color detection or Haar-like feature detection. It iswithin the scope of the invention to utilize skin-color detection forembodiments that track a user's body parts other than their “facialareas,” as typically tracked using Haar-like feature detection.Embodiments of the computing device receive frames streamed from thevideo feed captured by the camera, and extract color arrays 306 from thefacial area and perform an independent component analysis (ICA) to eacharray from at least two of three color channels to correct for user headmotion and changes in lighting conditions 308, resulting in a total ofat least four color arrays. The color channels are generally extractedaccording to RGB (Red, Green, and Blue) color space 306, however, HSV(Hue, Saturation, and Value) and/or HSL (Hue, Saturation, and Lightness)color space representations may also be used. Embodiments then perform afunction utilizing a Fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm 310 on theat least four vectors of data comprising the color channels and thecorresponding vectors after ICA analysis and correction. Results of theFast Fourier transform provide a series of indicia relative tophysiological changes in the body 310. The highest spikes in the seriesof indicia 312 generally provide for the best usable data for detectinga user's heart rate. However, determining the channel that provides thestrongest indicia for detecting the heart rate may comprise a variety ofmethods such as (1) selecting the signal spike that produces a highestratio of the peak power over cumulative power, (2) selecting the signalspike where the ratio between the highest spike and a second highestspike is maximized or of greatest magnitude, or (3) reporting thehighest signal spike (assumed heart rate) that is produced by thegreatest number of channels. Once the channel providing the strongestindicia for detecting the physiological parameter is selected, thephysiological parameter may be calculated from the series of indicia,and a biofeedback may be determined and presented to the user 314.

The invention may involve a computer program for receiving and storing auser's training zone data, or data associated to a detectedphysiological parameter and utilizing such data to perform cardioassessments for determining the user's training zones. See FIG. 4.Embodiments of the invention 400 may further provide a user 410 withbiofeedback 460 during exercise, and provide real-time instructions 470to the user or an exercise machine for facilitating the user's optimalaerobic intensity. Even further embodiments may provide a user withbiofeedback post exercise, in a non-monitoring state, such that abiofeedback is calculated based on a collective record of data over aperiod of time with purposes of reviewing progression towards predefinedgoals and/or advising the user on how to further optimize their exerciseroutine. For example, a series of workouts recorded by the non-invasivebiofeedback system may determine the fitness progression of the userbased on recorded performance and statistical analysis. The biofeedbacksystem may suggest that a user maintain or increase intensity after aseries of successful workout sessions, Another embodiment may simplydisplay to the user a progressive report based on an analysis performedon the series of workout sessions.

While in a biofeedback mode, the computer program of the invention isoperable to inform the user 410 if they are above, below, or withintheir anaerobic threshold 470. Biofeedback indicators 460,470 aregenerally determined by analyzing the user's current heart rate 460 tothe user's heart rate training zone. Heart rate training zones are knownin the art to be calculated with a user's maximum heart rate, restingheart rate, and age, or even more accurately determined by performingcardio assessments for the individual user. Resting heart rates aregenerally a user's heart rate when at rest, when lying down but awake,and not having recently exerted energy. Embodiments of the invention mayreceive inputs from a user to determine and store a user's personalinformation necessary for the determination of their training zones.Training zones may be calculated applying a variety of known methods,such as age-adjusted methods, Karvonen formulas, Leger formulas, theMaffetone method, and the Friel method. Further embodiments of theinvention may even provide for a cardio assessment mode, wherein thecomputing device can indicate to a user 410 an instruction to perform aparticular behavior or exercise, provide further instruction formeasuring the results, ultimately utilizing the results in determinationof a user's training zones. Training zones for each user generally havea minimum heart rate value and a maximum heart rate value, such that therange between the minimum and maximum heart rate values determine theoptimal range or training zone for the particular user.

The determination of a user's training zones is an initial step toreceiving biofeedback from the system. If a user has not set up trainingzones customized for their individualized use, the biofeedback data willbe incomplete, unavailable or inaccurate. Embodiments of the inventionmay provide for the set-up and storage of user profiles, wherein varioususers may set up their training zones and training goals for which thebiofeedback system may utilize in the customization of biofeedback tothe user. Training zones and various intensity levels thereof may bemodified by the computer program over any period of time in light of auser's particular training goals. After a user inputs or configures atleast their basic training zone values, a user may choose a specifictraining goal such as weight loss, endurance, increase metabolism, burnfat, physical therapy, strength, etc. It is within the scope of thisinvention that a user may choose a specific training goal and, based onthe chosen training goal, an optimal range is set for the user'straining goal based on the user's training zone values.

After the setup of a user's profile, training zones, and/or fitnessgoals, the user may initiate a biofeedback mode. Upon activation of thebiofeedback mode, the embodiments of the computer program will alsoactivate at least a monitoring mode. The monitoring mode is necessaryfor the provision of biofeedback to a user 410. As the monitoring modeis initiated, the invention will begin the non-invasive detection 430 ofthe user's heart rate 460 and/or other physiological parameter(s). Asdata from the monitoring mode is processed in the computing device 420,real-time comparisons are performed to determine the relative positionof the user's detected heart rate value to the user's training zonevalues 470. If a user's detected heart rate 460 is below the optimalrange or training zone as determined by the computer program, thecomputer program will instruct the computing device to present on adisplay 440, instructions to increase physical intensity 470. On theother hand, if a user's heart rate exceeds their optimal training zoneas determined by the computer program, the computer program willinstruct the computing device to present on a display 440 instructionsto decrease physical intensity. The biofeedback provided in theinvention embodies a real-time solution for the optimization of a user'sexercise routine in a non-invasive manner.

In even further embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 5,the computing device may be operable to detect a user's 510 heart ratewhile communicating with and controlling an exercise machine 520 (e.g.,a treadmill, elliptical machine, cross trainer, stationary bicycle,etc.). In one embodiment of the invention, the computing device andcamera(s) may be integrated into the exercise machine itself. Camera(s)built into the exercise machine may calculate the user's physiologicalparameters and control the machine's intensity/difficulty levels asnecessary to keep the user within their desired training zones.Additional embodiments 500 may allow for interfacing between theexercise machine 520 and a user's mobile computing device 530. In oneembodiment, the exercise machine 520 may comprise a dock 550 or chargingport 550 for the user's mobile device 530, configured so that the mobiledevice's 530 front-facing camera 540 is oriented towards the user 510 asthey exercise on the machine 520. Communications between the mobiledevice and exercise machine may be enabled through a hardwire connectionor via a communications network as described herein. In either the fullyintegrated or attached mobile device embodiments, the user is providedthe option to select a monitoring or biofeedback mode. A third option,the exercise machine control mode, is only available when the inventionis in communication with the exercise machine. It is an appreciatedaspect of this invention that various safety features such as emergencystops are integrated into the system, including those typically found inmodern day exercise machines.

In the event a user's heart rate value is lower than their optimal rangeor training zone value, the exercise control mode is programmed to senda signal or command to the exercise machine to increase the exercisedifficulty either in the form of speed or resistance. Similarly, when auser's heart rate value exceeds their optimal range or training zonevalue, the computer program sends a signal or command to the exercisemachine to decrease speed or resistance. The function embodied in theinvention is to accelerate and/or maintain a user's heart rate withinthe user's desired optimal range or training zone so that the user isoptimizing their exercise regimen.

Although the invention has been described with reference to thepreferred embodiment(s), it is noted that equivalents may be employedand substitutions made herein without departing from the scope of theinvention. Thus, the invention described herein is entitled to thoseequivalents and substitutions that perform substantially the samefunction in substantially the same way.

Having thus described various embodiments of the invention, what isclaimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent includesthe following:

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for non-invasively optimizing auser's exercise routine, the method comprising the steps of: collectinginformation about a user for determining said user's optimal range;tracking a facial area of the user in a live video feed; detecting afirst set of at least two channel values from the facial area of theuser in each frame of the live video feed; making corrective adjustmentsfor user motion and changes in lighting conditions on the first set ofat least two channel values, wherein the results of the correctionproduce a second set of at least two channel values corresponding to thefirst set of at least two channel values, such that a total of at leastfour channel values are associated to each frame of the live video feed;converting each of the at least four channel values associated to eachframe of the live video feed into a frequency wave pattern; selecting asingle channel amongst the at least four channel values, wherein thefrequency wave pattern of said single channel provides the strongestindicia for physiological parameter detection; processing the singlechannel for detecting a physiological parameter; and presenting abiofeedback to the user on a display, wherein the biofeedback notifiesthe user at least where the detected physiological parameter is relativeto the user's optimal range.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising the step of automatically adjusting intensity levels on anexercise machine such that the user's physiological parameter is broughtinto the user's optimal range.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein theuser's optimal range is a training zone determined by at least theuser's minimum heart rate value and the user's maximum heart rate value.4. The method of claim 1, wherein the facial area tracking step utilizesskin-color detection.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the facial areatracking step utilizes Haar-like feature detection.
 6. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the physiological parameter is heart rate.
 7. The methodof claim 1, wherein the corrective adjustment step is an independentcomponent analysis.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the conversioninto a frequency wave pattern step is a Fast Fourier Transformation. 9.The method of claim 1, wherein the selecting of a single channel stepselects a frequency spike indicative of a highest ratio of peak powerover a cumulative power.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein theselecting of a single channel step selects a frequency spike where aratio between a highest spike and a second highest spike is maximized.11. The method of claim 1, wherein the selecting of a single channelstep is a most common frequency rate produced by a majority number ofchannels.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the video feed is capturedutilizing a webcam or mobile device camera.
 13. The method of claim 1,further comprising the step of resizing the resolution of video framesfor faster processing.
 14. A non-transitory computer-readable mediumhaving a computer program stored thereon for execution by a processor,the computer program operable to non-invasively optimize a user'sexercise routine, wherein execution of the computer program by theprocessor performs the steps of: collecting information about a user fordetermining said user's optimal range; tracking a facial area of theuser in a live video feed; detecting a first set of at least two channelvalues from the facial area of the user in each frame of the live videofeed; making corrective adjustments for user motion and changes inlighting conditions on the first set of at least two channel values,wherein the results of the correction produce a second set of at leasttwo channel values corresponding to the first set of at least twochannel values, such that a total of at least four channel values areassociated to each frame of the live video feed; converting each of theat least four channel values associated to each frame of the live videofeed into a frequency wave pattern; selecting a single channel amongstthe at least four channel values, wherein the frequency wave pattern ofsaid single channel provides the strongest indicia for physiologicalparameter detection; processing the single channel for detecting aphysiological parameter; and presenting a biofeedback to the user on adisplay, wherein the biofeedback notifies the user at least where thedetected physiological parameter is relative to the user's optimalrange.
 15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14,further comprising the step of automatically adjusting intensity levelson an exercise machine such that the user's physiological parameter isbrought into the optimal range.
 16. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium of claim 14, wherein the optimal range is a training zone havinga minimum heart rate value and maximum heart rate value.
 17. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the facialarea tracking step utilizes skin-color detection.
 18. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the facial area trackingstep utilizes Haar-like feature detection.
 19. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 14 wherein the physiological parameteris heart rate.
 20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim14, wherein the corrective adjustment step is an independent componentanalysis.
 21. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14,wherein the conversion into a frequency wave pattern step is a FastFourier Transformation.
 22. The non-transitory computer-readable mediumof claim 14, wherein the selecting of a single channel step selects afrequency spike indicative of a highest ratio of peak power over acumulative power.
 23. The non-transitory computer-readable medium ofclaim 14, wherein the selecting of a single channel step selects afrequency spike where a ratio between a highest spike and a secondhighest spike is maximized.
 24. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium of claim 14, wherein the selecting of a single channel step is amost common frequency rate produced by a majority number of channels.25. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein thevideo feed is captured utilizing a webcam or mobile device camera. 26.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, furthercomprising the step of resizing the resolution of video frames forfaster processing.
 27. A system for non-invasively optimizing a user'sexercise routine, the system comprising: at least one video cameramounted in or on a housing and operably connected to a computing module,said at least one video camera oriented towards a user and operable tocapture a live video feed of the user; a computing module with aprocessor and a memory, said computing module mounted within the housingand configured to: store optimal range values of a user, wherein theoptimal range values are the lower and upper heart rate boundariesdefined by a training zone determined by at least a user's resting heartrate and maximum heart rate; receive the live video feed of the userfrom the at least one video camera, said live video feed comprising aplurality of frames, said computing module being configured to performthe following actions for each frame: detect a first set of at least twochannel values; make corrective adjustments for user motion and changesin lighting conditions on the first set of at least two channel values,wherein the results of the corrective adjustments produce a second setof at least two channel values corresponding to the first set of atleast two channel values, such that a total of at least four channelvalues exist; convert each of the at least four channel values into afrequency wave pattern; select a single channel amongst the at leastfour channel values, wherein the frequency wave pattern of said singlechannel provides the strongest indicia for physiological parameterdetection; and process the single channel for detecting a physiologicalparameter; a display monitor mounted in or on the housing and configuredto display a biofeedback, wherein the biofeedback indicates at leastwhere the physiological parameter of each frame is relative to theoptimal range values of the user.
 28. The system of claim 27, whereinthe housing is a mobile computing device housing.
 29. The system ofclaim 28, wherein the computing module is in communication with anexercise machine and further configured to send data packets to theexercise machine, said data packets corresponding to at least thephysiological parameter and the relative position thereof to the optimalrange of the user.
 30. The system of claim 29, wherein the exercisemachine is configured to automatically adjust exercise intensity levelsbased on the relative position of the physiological parameter to theoptimal range of the user.
 31. The system of claim 27, wherein thehousing is an exercise machine housing.
 32. The system of claim 31,wherein the computing module is further configured to automaticallyadjust exercise intensity levels based on the relative position of thephysiological parameter to the optimal range of the user.
 33. The methodof claim 1, wherein the biofeedback comprises at least one of heartrate, respiration, oxygen saturation, and lactate levels.
 34. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein thebiofeedback comprises at least one of heart rate, respiration, oxygensaturation, and lactate levels.
 35. The system of claim 27, wherein thebiofeedback comprises at least one of heart rate, respiration, oxygensaturation, and lactate levels.